Pregnancy Topics | Epidural or not?

Hi everyone!  I'm looking for some opinions on what other women think of having an epidural versus doing the labor process "naturally".  I'm due in two and a half weeks so you can imagine how much this is starting to weigh on me!!

I've heard that some women who have an epidural experience more tearing because they don't get an accurate feel of what's going on down there. And labor can last longer with the aide of an epidural because it reduces (or eliminates) the pain.  I'm not a huge fan of pain but I think I'd like to 'get it over with' if you know what I mean?  I'd like to think I have a pretty high pain-threshold but no one knows ahead of time what labor is going to be like and I may end up eating my words.

I'd appreciate any comments that anyone may have to share.  Getting nervous and excited now and can't wait to hold my little one!!

hey,

Me personally the contractions are bad enpugh i dot want to know the feeling of having a baby naturally i would go with the epidural...

jessica

Hi Jessica

In my more rational moments I think the same thing but then I swing back to the thought that pain is a motivator and the whole process may not be as drawn out as it might with the absence of that motivator!  I just don't want to be in labor for twenty-four hours...or thirty-two as my mother-in-law was!

I spoke to my doctor about it the other day and she assured me that we'll wait and see how it goes.  If I think I can handle the pain of the contractions then we won't worry, if after the second contraction I've had enough and don't want to go through the actual delivery process without an epidural then I'll get one then.  I didn't realize that it could be decided so on-the-spot.  I thought you either made the decision at the beginning or so-help-you-god you lived with your decision through the entire thing.  I guess it helps to talk to the professionals right? LOL.

Maybe more of a dad's point of view but:

1. you're right nataliej, in my experience you don't need to make the decision prior to being at the hospital, I think there is some point between contractions beginning and giving birth that they stop offering the epidural but I'm not sure when that is, maybe when baby is crowning.
2. the experience for one woman can be entirely different for another. For some women, contractions can be 'relatively' painless, whereas for others, contractions can wrack their body. As well, for some women birth might be a short hour or two whereas others can be 12+ hours. I'm guessing that you'll know which side you're on, on your baby's birthday! Don't feel pressure that some of your women friends did it one way so you have to follow suit. Do whatever you feel most comfortable with.
3. if you have concerns aorund tearing and whether an epidural is related to that, that's a great conversation to have with your doctor
4. I wouldn't get too caught up in your decision. I don't think either path is a bad one and pretty soon you'll have a wonderful child.

So exciting to be so close. Assuming your baby isn't quite here yet, congrats ahead of time!

Next...on to breastfeeding! Has anyone warned you yet that breastfeeding doesn't come 'naturally' and is more akin to studying for a college exam?

   Honestly, if I were to suggest you spend any time/effort right now, I'd suggest you start practicing breastfeeding holds and actions. For some reason, most women don't tell other women that breastfeeding tends to be awkward and painful for the first month or so (for the first baby in particular).  Or you pump and get your partner to do the feeding while you sleep :)